Getting New Tools Because of Children

I do a lot of “projects” around the house. Part is based on budget- particularly 20 years ago when I first started learning how to do home repairs and maintenance by myself because the budget of a young family simply was not capable of hiring a plumber to fix a leaky sink or toilet problem, but now it is more a case of I enjoy working on the projects around the house and like to do many of the things myself. Back when I purchased my first home the biggest obstacle of any repair job was the lack of the tool needed to do the job. Even the most basic tools like hammers and screwdrivers are an issue if you do not have one.

While I seldom have a job come out now that requires a tool I do not own (which is really too bad as that job always gets pushed to the head of the list since any opportunity to purchase a new tool and play with it is an exciting thing in my life) I still see tools that I want. I think it is likely a symptom of some other problem that instead of going through the house looking at things that may need to be done, now I sometimes go to the hardware store and wander through the tool aisles and try to think of a job I could do if I had a particular tool. Just a hint- never explain to your spouse that is how you deduced the need for a project or that project will not get the seal of approval that is sometimes needed.

Nothing frustrates me more though then when a new upgraded version of a tool that I already exists comes out. I look through all the online tool stores to see what the specs of the newest and best tools are. The example I am speaking of specifically if actually my DeWalt 18v XRP cordless tools. When they had just switched to a lithium-ion battery pack it was easy enough to resist the urge to purchase a complete new set. Now they have a 20v lithium-ion set and it is hard to dispute that 20v sounds better than 18v. What the casual person may not know is that rather than just the voltage is the battery rating – the 2ah battery is little improvement and what comes in the 4-5 tool sets usually. Getting the 3ah for 4ah adds slightly to the weight but then you have a tool that will work for many hours in between charges.

Then I am stuck in a real predicament. My tools have years of use but still work exceptionally well. I have multiple extra batteries already so the charging time is of little consequence really as it is a few seconds to change the battery to a fresh one waiting in the charger. The fact remains I know that they are better in several ways but it is impossible to justify the hundreds of dollars it would cost to begin replacing my current cordless power tools that have managed to do every job I ever attempted.

It was then I discovered the true usefulness of maturing children getting their own homes. While they have no tools just as when I started out 20 plus years ago, they still have projects where even hammers and pliers are make shift substitutes. Clearly, this is not an acceptable situation. My oldest daughter now has a very functional set of 18v DeWalt Cordless tools. I am shopping for the new 20V replacements. I suspect she is still using the side of a wrench as a hammer, but she has all the cordless power tools needed to build an 18×24 garage – that I am sure of.